Cathode ray tube display assembly having diverse optical means therein

ABSTRACT

A cathode ray tube display assembly having a faceplate panel wherein at least one optical insert of low-attenuation optical material is disposed through the faceplate in substantially the peripheral region thereof to provide at least one defined light channel therethrough. The insert, being covered by the peripheral portion of the screen, provides means for channeling a discrete portion of excited screen luminescence through the faceplate.

United States Patent [191 Johnson 3,835,251 51 Sept. 10, 1974 CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY ASSEMBLY HAVING DIVERSE OPTICAL MEANS THEREIN [75] Inventor: Alfred D. Johnson, Seneca Falls,

[73] Assignee: Sylvania Electric Products Inc.,

Stamford, Conn.

[22] Filed: June 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 372,853

Related US. Application Data [60] Continuation of Ser. No. 195,341, Nov. 3, 1971, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 34,023, May 4, 1970, Pat. No. 3,668,387.

Primary Examiner-Robert Segal Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norman J. OMalley; Cyril A. Krenzer; Frederick H. Rinn [57] ABSTRACT A cathode ray tube display assembly having a faceplate panel wherein at least one optical insert of lowattenuation optical material is disposed through the faceplate in substantially the peripheral region thereof to provide at least one defined light channel therethrough. The insert, being covered by the peripheral [52] US. Cl. 178/7.85, 3 13/475 portion ofthe Screen, provides means for channeling a [51] Cl H013 29/89 H011 29/18 discrete portion of excited screen luminescence [58] Field of Search... 178/785; 313/92 LP, 89 LF, through the faceplate 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I6 1 59 a 6! 63 -5 5 I5 69 7* 67 l/ //-////f 4/ l x A a n t -;L'-' I 2! I l CONVERTER PATENIED SEP 1 01974 AND CONVERTER SENSOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 195,341, filed Nov. 3, 1971, now abandoned which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 34,023, filed May 4, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,668,387 which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a display assembly and more particularly to a display assembly employing a cathode ray tube with a faceplate having discrete means therein for channeling a defined area of screen luminescence therethrough.

Certain types of cathode ray tube display devices utilized for the presentation of operational data and surveillance information have, need for special tube related signalling to optimize intended operation of the device. For example, discrete signalling emanating within the tube has been particularly useful in effecting efficient operation of display devices in movable equipment such as aircraft and mobile vehicular installations. It has been found that during maneuvering, extraneous magnetic fields are often encountered that deleteriously affect desired orientation of the required display pattern or raster. Since it is desirous to maintain display centering on the screen, various attempts have been made to provide display centering. One remedial attempt has been to embed a plurality of sensor conductors in the peripheral region of the faceplate beyond the normal scan area to pick-up the electron beam when the display raster is shifted off-center. Electron signalling thus received activates an automatic scan centering device to substantially restore the required display area to center. To fabricate a tube for this system is both costly and difficult.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a cathode ray tube display assembly that has provisions therein to facilitate the use of optical signalling emanating from the excited screen thereof.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by providing a cathode ray tube having a faceplate panel wherein at least one discrete optical insert, of low-attenuation optical material, having optical characteristics differing from those of the faceplate, is disposed in a compatibly formed aperture in substantially the peripheral regionof the faceplate to provide at least one specialized light channel therethrough. The interior surface of the insert is fully covered by the peripheral portion of the cathodoluminescent screen to provide discrete channeling of excited luminescence of the specific overlying screen area'to a definite area of the exterior surface of the faceplate. The defined optical signalling thus provided is utilized in a manner to optimize operational efficiency of the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cathode ray tube utilizing the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the faceplate portion taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a display assembly employing the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following specification and appended claims in connection with the aforedescribed drawing.

With reference to the Figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cathode ray tube 11 whereof the envelope 13 comprises a panel portion 15, a funnel portion 17 and a neck portion 19. A cathodoluminescent screen 21 is formed on the interior surface 23 of the panel portion 15, and at least one electron gun 25 is positioned within the neck portion 19 in a manner to project an electron beam 27 to impinge the screen and excite the phosphor therein to a state of luminescence. The electron beam 27 is caused to scan the screen 21 by means not shown, which may be either electrostatic or electromagnetic, to effect a desired display raster 31, having, for exam ple, a height a and a width b. While a substantially rectangular display raster 31 is shown, the disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto.

In referring particularly to the panel structure of the tube 11, the faceplate or panel portion 15 is formed of a substantially transparent glass of the type or types normally used for viewing panel construction. In substantially the peripheral region of the faceplate 15, there is at least one discrete optical insert 33 of lowattenuation optical material, such as, optical glass or a compaction of parallel optical fibers, having a height h substantially equalling the thickness of the panel 15. While the insert can be of a substantially cylindrical form fitted into a substantially mating cylindrical aperture in the faceplate 15, it has been found that an insert 33 contoured substantially as a conical frustum-shaped article having larger and smaller end surfaces, 35 and 37 respectively, is particularly advantageous when disposed in a compatible substantially infundibularshaped aperture 39 formed in the faceplate 15. The insert 33 is bonded within the mating aperture by a conventional sealing technique, such as for example by utilizing a substantially opaque glass sealing frit 41, to form a hermetic seal therebetween. In addition to the sealing function, the frit 41 provides a substantially opaque encompassing barrier shielding the optical insert 33 from refracted light in the contiguous faceplate material. This is particularly advantageous when an optical glass insert is employed. The smaller end surface 37 of the frustum-shaped insert 33 is polished and oriented substantially flush with the interior surface 23 of the faceplate l5, accordingly the larger end surface 35 of the insert is similarly polished and substantially flush with the faceplate exterior surface 43. It has been found that this wedge-type relationship is highly beneficial as it utilizes the force of the exterior ambient air pressure which pushes inwardly against the outer surface 35 of the insert thereby strengthening the hermetic jointure of the insert 33 in the panel faceplate 15.

As shown, the optical insert 33 is formed, for example, of a plurality of substantially parallel optical fibers 45 oriented substantially normal to the plane of the panel faceplate 15. Fiber optics material is an appropriate means because of its low attenuation and directional optical characteristics. Thus, the insert provides an efficient optical-pipe between the interior and exterior surfaces 23 and 43 of the envelope faceplate 15. The location of the insert 33, being substantially peripherally disposed in the faceplate, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is in an area covered by the screen 21 but in the region thereof preferably beyond the viewable display raster 31. The insert orientation is referenced from the faceplate axis 16 by the dimension d. While one insert 33 is shown, a plurality may be utilized in spaced apart relationship. Forexample, additional depositions of inserts at points 47, 49, and 51, or at other appropriate locations in the areas adjacent thereto, in the faceplate places an insert in adjacent relationship with each-of the respective lateral dimensions 53, 54, 55, 56 of the raster 31.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is shown a cathode ray tube display assembly 59 which utilizes the aforedescribed tube 11 as the display medium therein. A bezel-type framing structure 61 is'formed to substantially encircle the display panel portion 15 of the tube and is affixed thereto, as for example, by a suitable adhesive 62. The frame 61 has a substantially instanding portion 63 with the leading edge 65 thereof defining the viewable portion of the panel 15. The location of the leading edge 65 is referenced from the panel axis 16 by the dimension j which is of a dimensional value less than the insert orientation dimension d. Thus, the instanding portion 63 of the frame covers the insert location/- locations. Within the framing structure 61, there is positioned at least one fiber optics conduit 67 whereof the receptive end 69 is affixed in a manner to be contiguous with the insert exterior surface 35. The conduit 67 extends exteriorly from the framing structure 61 to conversion sensing means 71 wherein discrete optical energy conducted from the screen is converted to signalling which is by electrical conductive means 73 transferred to circuitry not shown and utilized to optimize operational efficiency of the tube 11. Operationally, as the display raster 31 may be moved off-center from axis 16, by external influences, the electron beam 27 excites that part of the screen overlying one of the optical inserts, such as for example insert 33. The defined light emanating therefrom traverses the insert and is conducted to the sensor-converter 71 by the conduit 67 wherein corrective signalling is initiated to shift the display back to desired positioning on the display panel. Being peripherally oriented in the faceplate 15 and hidden by the framing structure 61, the inserts are unobtrusive to the image display on the panel 15.

While the foregoing description relates primarily to a tube constructedto effect automatic scan centering, it is within the scope of the invention to include other insert orientations and usages. For example, one or more inserts can be located in the peripheral portion of the regular display raster area to receive a pulse of light as the raster is scanned. Such discrete pulses of optical energy can be converted to monitoring or signalling applications in the circuitry associated with the device.

Thus, there is provided a display assembly employing a cathode ray tube having discrete optical conductive means in the faceplate portion to effect expeditious channeling of defined areas of screen luminescence therethrough.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cathode ray tube display assembly having means therein to effect scan centering of the raster display, said assembly comprising:

a cathode ray tube having a viewable display panel formed of a faceplate portion with an axis therethrough, a cathode-luminescent screen disposed on the interior surface of said panel, and at least one discrete optical insert of low attenuation optical material differing from that of said faceplate and being substantially shaped as a conical frustum hermetically disposed in a compatible infundibular shaped aperture in substantially the peripheral region of said faceplate in an area covered by the continuation of said screen beyond the viewable display raster, the base of said frustum being oriented relative to the outer surface of said faceplate to promote strengthening of the hermetic jointure of the-insert inthe panel faceplate by utilizing the inwardly-directed force of the exterior ambient air pressure, the end surfaces of said frustum being substantially polished and flush with the respective interior and exterior surfaces of said faceplate, said frustum being bonded within said aperture by opaque glass sealing material to provide an opaque encompassing barrier thereabout shielding said optical insert from luminous energy refracted from the adjacent screen area through the contiguous faceplate material; bezel-type framing structure formed to substantially encircle the display panel of said tube, said frame having a substantially instanding portion with the leading edge thereof defining the viewable raster portion of said panel, the location of said leading edge being dimensionally referenced from said axis and being of a dimensional value less than the axis referenced dimension for the orientation of said insert, the instanding portion of said frame being dimensioned to cover the optical insert area in said tube faceplate; attachment means in the form of adhesive bonding material suitably disposed relative to said framing structure to provide fixation thereof to substantially the periphery of the channel portion of said tube; and

at least one fiber optics conduit having the receptive end thereof positioned and affixed in an angular manner within said framing structure to effect shielding from-the viewable portion of said panel with the conduit extending exteriorly therefrom, the surface of the receptive end of said optical conduit being oriented contiguous to and abutting the exterior surface of said optical insert to effect transmission of specific light energy emanating from the peripheral portion of said screen to conversion sensing means exterior of said tube whereuponcorrective signalling is initiated to shift the display raster to desired positioning on the display panel said conduit containing a plurality of parallel optical fibers extending from the exterior surface of said optical insert to said exterior sensing means.

paction of a plurality of substantially parallel optical fibers of low attenuation optical material oriented substantially normal to the plane of the tube display panel, and wherein the optical fibers comprising said optical conduit in said framing structure are abutted thereto in a manner to provide substantially matching continuance of the optical fiber members of the insert and conduit. 

1. A cathode ray tube display assembly having means therein to effect scan centering of the raster display, said assembly comprising: a cathode ray tube having a viewable display panel formed of a faceplate portion with an axis therethrough, a cathodoluminescent screen disposed on the interior surface of said panel, and at least one discrete optical insert of low attenuation optical material differing from that of said faceplate and being substantially shaped as a conical frustum hermetically disposed in a compatible infundibular shaped aperture in substantially the peripheral region of said faceplate in an area covered by the continuation of said screen beyond the viewable display raster, the base of said frustum being oriented relative to the outer surface of said faceplate to promote strengthening of the hermetic jointure of the insert in the panel faceplate by utilizing the inwardly-directed force of the exterior ambient air pressure, the end surfaces of said frustum being substantially polished and flush with the respective interior and exterior surfaces of said faceplate, said frustum being bonded within said aperture by opaque glass sealing material to provide an opaque encompassing barrier thereabout shielding said optical insert from luminous energy refracted from the adjacent screen area through the contiguous faceplate material; a bezel-type framing structure formed to substantially encircle the display panel of said tube, said frame having a substantially instanding portion with the leading edge thereof defining the viewable raster portion of said panel, the location of said leading edge being dimensionally referenced from said axis and being of a dimensional value less than the axis referenced dimension for the orientation of said insert, the instanding portion of said frame being dimensioned to cover the optical insert area in said tube faceplate; attachment means in the form of adhesive bonding material suitably disposed relative to said framing structure to provide fixation thereof to substantially the periphery of the channel portion of said tube; and at least one fiber optics conduit having the receptive end thereof positioned and affixed in an angular manner within said framing structure to effect shielding from the viewable portion of said panel with the conduit extending exteriorly therefrom, the surface of the receptive end of said optical conduit being oriented contiguous to and abutting the exterior surface of said optical insert to effect transmission of specific light energy emanating from the peripheral portion of said screen to conversion sensing means exterior of said tube whereupon corrective signalling is initiated to shift the display raster to desired positioning on the display panel said conduit containing a plurality of parallel optical fibers extending from the exterior surface of said optical insert to said exterior sensing means.
 2. A cathode ray tube display assembly according to claim 1 wherein the viewing panel of said tube contains four optical inserts disposed in appropriate locations in relationship with each of the respective lateral dimensions of the display raster, and wherein said framing structure has four separate optical conduits disposed therein in a manner to abut each of the respective inserts.
 3. The cathode ray tube display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said optical insert comprises a compaction of a plurality of substantially parallel optical fibers of low attenuation optical material oriented substantially normal to the plane of the tube display panel, and wherein the optical fibers comprising said optical conduit in said framing structure are abutted thereto in a manner to provide substantially matching continuance of the optical fiber members of the insert and conduit. 